U.S. patent application number 11/386952 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for fabric article treating device comprising more than one housing.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Dean Larry DuVal, Keith David Fanta, Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard France, Laura Lynn Heilman, Michael Joseph Orr, Jichun Shi, Christopher Lawrence Smith.
Application Number | 20060162180 11/386952 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46123515 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060162180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heilman; Laura Lynn ; et
al. |
July 27, 2006 |
Fabric article treating device comprising more than one housing
Abstract
A treating device for use with a fabric article drying
appliance. The treating device dispenses a benefit composition into
a chamber so as to provide benefits to fabric articles contained
within the fabric article drying appliance. The treating device is
comprised of at least two housings in communication with one
another wherein at least one housing is located in the interior of
a fabric article drying appliance and at least one housing is
located outside of the fabric article drying appliance.
Inventors: |
Heilman; Laura Lynn;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Smith; Christopher Lawrence;
(Liberty Township, OH) ; Fanta; Keith David;
(Middletown, OH) ; France; Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard;
(West Chester, OH) ; DuVal; Dean Larry; (Lebanon,
OH) ; Orr; Michael Joseph; (West Chester, OH)
; Shi; Jichun; (Liberty Township, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
|
Family ID: |
46123515 |
Appl. No.: |
11/386952 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10697685 |
Oct 29, 2003 |
7043855 |
|
|
11386952 |
Mar 22, 2006 |
|
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|
10418595 |
Apr 17, 2003 |
7059065 |
|
|
10697685 |
Oct 29, 2003 |
|
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|
60374601 |
Apr 22, 2002 |
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60426438 |
Nov 14, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
34/389 ; 34/597;
34/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 5/00 20130101; D06F
58/30 20200201; D06F 58/203 20130101; D06F 35/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
034/389 ;
034/087; 034/597 |
International
Class: |
F26B 19/00 20060101
F26B019/00; F26B 7/00 20060101 F26B007/00; F26B 11/02 20060101
F26B011/02 |
Claims
1. A fabric article treating device, said fabric article treating
device comprising: an interior housing located inside of a fabric
article drying appliance said interior housing comprising a nozzle
that directs a benefit agent into said fabric article drying
appliance and an exterior housing located outside of said fabric
article drying appliance, wherein said interior housing and said
exterior housing are in communication with one another and wherein
said interior housing, said exterior housing, or a combination
thereof includes a sensor for a closure structure wherein said
sensor will change state when said closure structure is open so as
to prevent the flow of said benefit agent from said nozzle.
2. The fabric article treating device of claim 1 wherein said
sensor is an optoelectronic device.
3. The fabric article treating device of claim 1 wherein said
interior housing and said exterior housing are connected to one
another so as to be in communication with one another.
4. The fabric article treating device of claim 3 wherein said
interior housing and said exterior housing are connected to one
another with a flat cable, a wire, a wire or group of wires encased
in a sheath of woven or non-woven material, a conduit, or a
combination thereof.
5. The fabric article treating device of claim 4 wherein said
sensor is a pressure sensitive conductor.
6. The fabric article treating device of claim 1 wherein said
interior housing and said exterior housing are in electrical
communication with one another.
7. A fabric article treating device, said fabric article treating
device comprising: an interior housing comprising a nozzle, located
inside of a fabric article drying appliance and an exterior housing
located outside of said fabric article drying appliance, wherein
said interior housing and said exterior housing are in
communication with one another wherein said exterior housing
communicates with a user so as to allow said user to control said
fabric article treating device, allow said user to ascertain the
operating status of said fabric article treating device, or a
combination thereof.
8. The fabric article treating device of claim 7 wherein said
exterior housing includes a means for activating said fabric
article treating device.
9. The fabric article treating device of claim 7 wherein said
fabric article treating device is operated manually, operated
automatically, or a combination thereof.
10. The fabric article treating device of claim 9 wherein said
fabric article treating device is mechanically activated,
electrically activated, or a combination thereof.
11. The fabric article treating device of claim 7 further
comprising a spraying device for distributing a benefit composition
into a fabric article drying appliance, wherein said spraying
device is a hydraulic nozzle, sonic nebulizer, pressure swirl
atomizer, high pressure fog nozzle, or a combination thereof.
12. A system for treating fabrics, said system for treating fabrics
comprising: a) a dry cleaning apparatus; and b) a fabric article
treating device comprising an interior housing, wherein said
interior housing is located inside of said dry cleaning apparatus
said interior housing comprising a nozzle and an exterior housing
located outside of said dry cleaning apparatus, wherein said
interior housing and said exterior housing are in communication
with one another.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/697,685, filed Oct. 29, 2003; which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/418,595, filed
Apr. 17, 2003; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/374,601, filed Apr. 22, 2002; and U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/426,438, filed Nov. 14,
2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a treating device for use
with a fabric article drying appliance (a non-limiting example of
which includes a clothes dryer). The treating device dispenses a
benefit composition through a nozzle that directs the benefit
composition into a chamber (a non-limiting example of which
includes a drum of a clothes dryer) so as to provide benefits to
fabric articles contained within the fabric article drying
appliance. The treating device is comprised of at least two
housings. At least one of the housings is located in the interior
of a fabric article drying appliance while at least one other
housing is located outside of the fabric article drying appliance.
The interior housing and exterior housing of the treating device
are in communication with one another.
[0003] The present invention also relates to a system and a method
for treating fabrics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,890 purports to describe a device for
dispensing treating agents into clothes dryers. The device which is
self-powered by batteries, is attached to the inside door of a
conventional horizontal tumble dryer. However, the drawback of such
a device is the harsh conditions within the dryer that it is
subjected to. These harsh conditions, such as high temperature and
high humidity, place a lot of strain on the lifetime and efficiency
of the device's batteries and/or electronic components and can
cause increased cost and/or inconvenience to a user of such a
device. Additionally, when the device is wholly located inside the
dryer, there is no means for the device to communicate with the
user. Hence, there is limited means for the user to ascertain
and/or control the operating status of the device.
[0005] The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by providing
a device comprised of at least two housings wherein the two
housings are in communication with one another and wherein at least
one of the housings is located in the interior of a fabric article
drying appliance (a non-limiting example of which includes a
clothes dryer) and at least one housing is located outside of the
fabric article drying appliance. The housing located in the
interior of the fabric article drying appliance may contain for
example a dispensing apparatus while the housing located outside of
the drying appliance may contain for example sensitive components,
non-limiting examples of which may include batteries, electrical
components, and/or other heat and/or humidity sensitive components.
The housing located outside of the drying appliance may also
provide a means for a device to communicate with the user so that
the user can control the device or ascertain the operating status
of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A fabric article treating device comprising an interior
housing, located inside of a fabric article drying appliance and an
exterior housing located outside of the fabric article drying
appliance are in communication with one another. The interior
housing and exterior housing may be connected to one another. The
exterior housing may include sensitive components. In one
embodiment, the interior housing and exterior housing are connected
to one another with a flat cable. The interior housing and exterior
housing may be in electrical communication with one another. The
exterior housing may also include a power source. The fabric
article drying appliance may include a door. In one embodiment, the
interior housing may be located between the interior and exterior
surfaces of the door.
[0007] The present invention also relates to a system for treating
fabrics. The system comprises a fabric article drying appliance and
a fabric article treating device. The fabric article treating
device comprises an interior housing located inside of the fabric
article drying appliance and an exterior housing located outside of
the fabric article drying appliance. The interior housing and
exterior housing are in communication with one another.
[0008] The present invention further relates to a method for
treating fabrics. The method comprises providing a fabric article
treating device wherein the fabric article treating device is
comprised of an interior housing located inside of a fabric article
drying appliance and an exterior housing located outside of the
fabric article drying appliance. The interior housing and exterior
housing are in communication with one another. A reservoir, pump,
and nozzle are also included in the fabric article treating device.
A benefit composition is contained in the reservoir. The benefit
composition moves from the reservoir through the pump to the
nozzle. The benefit composition is sprayed through the nozzle into
the fabric article drying appliance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fabric
article treating device made in accordance with the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the opposite angle of the
fabric article treating device of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an elevational view from one end in partial
cross-section of the fabric article treating device of FIG. 1,
illustrating the interior housing and exterior housing, as joined
together by a flat cable.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an elevational view from one side in partial
cross-section of the interior housing portion of the fabric article
treating device of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of some of the electrical and
mechanical components which may be utilized in the fabric article
treating device of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 (comprising FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C) is a schematic
diagram of a first portion of an electronic controller which may be
utilized in the fabric article treating device of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of other portions
of an electronic controller, including power supply components,
which may be utilized in the fabric article treating device of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view in partial cross-section of
the fabric article treating device of FIG. 1, as it may be mounted
to the door of a fabric article drying appliance.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an elevational view from one end in partial
cross-section of another embodiment of the fabric article treating
device of the present invention taken along line 9-9 of FIG.
10.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fabric
article treating device of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view from the opposite angle of the
fabric article treating device of FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of system for treating fabric
articles in accordance with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the
fabric article treating device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The phrase "fabric article treating system" as used herein
means a fabric article drying appliance, a non-limiting example of
which includes a conventional clothes dryers and/or modifications
thereof. The fabric article treating system also includes a fabric
article treating device which may be used to deliver a benefit
composition.
[0023] "Fabric article" (or "fabric") as used herein means any
article that is customarily cleaned in a conventional laundry
process or in a dry cleaning process. The term encompasses articles
of fabric including but not limited to: clothing, linen, draperies,
clothing accessories, leather, floor coverings, sheets, towels,
rags, canvas, polymer structures, and the like. The term also
encompasses other items made in whole or in part of fabric
material, such as tote bags, furniture covers, tarpaulins, shoes,
and the like.
[0024] As used herein, the term "benefit composition" refers to a
composition used to deliver a benefit to a fabric article.
Non-limiting examples of materials and mixtures thereof which can
comprise the benefit composition include: water, softening agents,
crispening agents, perfume, water/stain repellents, refreshing
agents, antistatic agents, antimicrobial agents, durable press
agents, wrinkle resistant agents, odor resistance agents, abrasion
resistance agents, solvents, and combinations thereof.
[0025] The present invention relates to a treating device for use
with a fabric article drying appliance (a non-limiting example of
which includes a clothes dryer). The treating device may be
controlled substantially or totally independently of the fabric
article drying appliance controls. The treating device dispenses a
benefit composition through a nozzle that directs the benefit
composition into a chamber (a non-limiting example of which
includes a drum of a clothes dryer) so as to provide benefits to
fabric articles contained within the fabric article drying
appliance. The treating device is comprised of at least two
housings. At least one of the housings is located in the interior
of a fabric article drying appliance while at least one other
housing is located outside of the fabric article drying appliance.
The interior (or inner housing) and exterior (or outer housing) of
the treating device are in communication with one another.
Non-limiting examples of communication between the interior housing
and exterior housing include electrical communication (wherein
electrical signals are transferred between the interior and outer
housing) and compositional transfer communication (i.e.; wherein a
benefit composition is transferred between the outer and inner
housing), and thermal communication (i.e.; wherein temperature
differentials are transferred between the outer and inner housing a
non-limiting example of which is wherein the benefit composition is
heated in one housing and transferred to the other housing). The
inner housing and outer housing may be connected to one another.
Non-limiting means of connecting the inner and outer housing
include a flat cable, a wire, and/or a conduit (a non-limiting
example of which is a conduit for transferring benefit composition
between the outer and inner housing).
[0026] Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a stand-alone
controller and dispenser unit (i.e.; "treating device"), generally
designated by the reference numeral 10, is illustrated as having
two major enclosures (or housings) 20 and 50. The enclosure 20 acts
as an inner housing which is located in the interior of a fabric
article drying appliance, while the enclosure 50 acts as an outer
or exterior housing that is located outside of the fabric article
drying appliance. The enclosure 50 may be mounted on the exterior
surface of the fabric article drying appliance door, yet may also
be mounted on any exterior surface, non-limiting examples of which
include: the side walls, the top walls, the outer surface of a
top-opening lid, and the like, including a wall or other household
structure that is separate from the fabric article drying
appliance. Furthermore, the enclosure 20 may be mounted on any
interior surface of the fabric article drying appliance, examples
of which include, but are not limited to: the interior surface of
the door, between the interior and exterior surfaces of the door
(see FIG. 13), the drum of the fabric article drying appliance, the
back wall, the inner surface of a top-opening lid, and the
like.
[0027] The interior and exterior housings may be constructed of
materials familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Non-limiting examples of such materials include polymeric materials
including but not limited to polyurethane, polypropylene,
polycarbonates, polyethylene, and combinations thereof and metals
including but not limited to enameled metals.
[0028] Enclosure 50 may be permanently mounted to the exterior
surface, or releasably attached to the exterior surface. Likewise,
enclosure 20 may be permanently mounted to the interior surface, or
releasably attached to the interior surface. One configuration for
such an attachment is illustrated in FIG. 8, in which the door of
the drying appliance is generally designated by the reference
numeral 15. Other non-limiting attachments include magnets, suction
cups, Velcro.RTM., and the like. It will be understood that the
term "door," as used herein, represents a movable closure structure
that allows a person to access an interior volume of the drying
appliance, and can be of virtually any physical form that will
enable such access. The door "closure structure" could be a lid on
the upper surface of the dryer appliance, or a hatch of some sort,
or the like.
[0029] The treating device 10 may be grounded by way of being in
contact with a grounded part of the fabric article drying appliance
such as by a spring, patch, magnet, screw, arc corona discharge, or
other attaching means, and/or by way of dissipating residual
charge. One non-limiting way of dissipating the charge is by using
an ionizing feature, for example a set of metallic wires extending
away from the source. In many instances fabric article drying
appliances such as clothes dryers have an enameled surface. One
means of grounding would be to ground to the enameled surface of
the fabric article drying appliance by utilizing a pin that
penetrates the non-conductive enamel paint for grounding thereto.
Another means of grounding to the non-conductive surface of a
fabric article drying appliance comprises the usage of a thin metal
plate that is positioned between the fabric article drying
appliance and the fabric article treating device which serves to
provide a capacitive discharge. Typical thickness of such a plate
is from about 5 .mu.m to about 5000 .mu.m.
[0030] It will be understood that the present invention can be
readily used in other types of fabric article "drying" devices, and
is not limited solely to clothes "dryers".In the context of this
patent document, the terms "dryer" or "drying apparatus" or "fabric
article drying appliance" include devices that may or may not
perform a true drying function, but may involve treating fabric
without attempting to literally dry the fabric itself. As noted
above, the terms "dryer" or "drying apparatus" or "fabric article
drying appliance" may include a "dry cleaning" process or
apparatus, which may or may not literally involve a step of
drying.
[0031] In addition to the above, it should be noted that some
drying appliances include a drying chamber (or "drum") that does
not literally move or rotate while the drying appliance is
operating in a drying cycle. Some such drying appliances use moving
air that passes through the drying chamber, and the chamber does
not move while the drying cycle occurs. Such an example drying
appliance has a door or other type of access cover that allows a
person to insert the clothing to be dried into the chamber. In many
cases, the person "hangs" the clothing on some type of upper rod
within the drying chamber. Once that has been done, the door (or
access cover) is closed, and the drying appliance can begin its
drying function. A spraying cycle can take place within such a
unit, however, care should be taken to ensure that the benefit
composition becomes well dispersed within the drying chamber, so
that certain fabric items do not receive a very large concentration
of the benefit composition while other fabric items receive very
little (or none) of the benefit composition.
[0032] The fabric article treating device 10 may comprise at least
one nozzle 24 for the purpose of distributing the benefit
composition into the fabric article drying appliance.
Misting/atomizing of the benefit composition can be achieved using
any suitable spraying device such as a hydraulic nozzle, sonic
nebulizer, pressure swirl atomizers, high pressure fog nozzle or
the like to deliver target particle sizes. Non-limiting examples of
suitable nozzles include nozzles commercially available from Spray
Systems, Inc. such as Spray Systems, Inc. of Ponoma, Calif. under
the Model Nos.: 850, 1050, 1250, 1450 and 1650. Another suitable
example of a nozzle is a pressure swirl atomizing nozzle made by
Seaquist Dispensing of Cary, Ill. under the Model No. DU-3813.
[0033] Optionally, filters and/or filtering techniques can be used
to filter the benefit composition if desired. Non-limiting examples
of this include: utilizing a filter in the treating device 10 prior
to the nozzle 24; filtering the benefit composition prior to
dispensing into the benefit composition reservoir; centrifuging the
benefit composition prior to dispensing into the benefit
composition reservoir; and the like; or combinations thereof.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a discharge nozzle 24 and an optional
"door sensor" 22 are visible on the inner housing 20, which also
includes a benefit composition-holding reservoir 26 within an
interior volume of the inner housing 20. The reservoir 26 may be
used to hold a benefit composition. The benefit composition-holding
reservoir 26 may be comprised of flexible, rigid, and/or semi-rigid
material. Embodiments constructed out of rigid or semi-rigid
materials may include a vent.
[0035] The discharge nozzle 24 can act as a fluid atomizing nozzle,
using either a pressurized spray or, along with an optional high
voltage power supply (not shown in FIG. 1) it can act as an
electrostatic spray nozzle. The benefit composition can comprise a
fluidic substance, such as a liquid or a gaseous compound, or it
can comprise a solid compound in the form of particles, such as a
powder. Reservoir 26 can take the form, for example, of a pouch or
a cartridge; or perhaps could merely be a household water line for
situations in which the benefit composition comprises potable
water. Furthermore, the reservoir 26 may be integral with the inner
housing 20, or it may be removably attached. Alternatively, as
shown in FIG. 9-11, the reservoir 26 may be integral with the outer
housing 50, or it may be removably attached to the outer housing
50. Furthermore, the treating device 10 may include more than one
reservoir 26. At least one reservoir 26 could be associated with
the inner housing 20 and/or at least one reservoir could be
associated with the outer housing 50.
[0036] The inner housing 20 and the outer housing 50 are in
communication with one another. The inner housing 20 and outer
housing 50 may be connected to one another. Non-limiting examples
of connecting the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 50 may
include utilizing a flat cable 40 (also sometimes referred to as a
"ribbon cable") as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 9-12, a wire, a wire or
group of wires encased in a sheath of woven or non-woven material,
a conduit (a non-limiting example of which is a conduit for the
benefit composition 44 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8-9, and 12), or a
combination thereof. The woven or non-woven sheath may also be used
as a method of attaching inner housing 20 and outer housing 50. The
inner housing 20 and outer housing 50 may be used to provide a
means of gravitational counter-balancing so as to reduce
unnecessary tension on the wires and/or the housing connections.
Typical weight ratios between the inner housing 20 and the outer
housing 50 are generally from about 1:14 to about 14:1. The inner
housing 20 and outer housing 50 may also be in electrical and/or
fluidic communication.
[0037] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a flat cable 40 is run between
the two housings 20 and 50, and travels along the inner surface of
the fabric article drying appliance door 15 (see FIG. 8, for
example), over the top of the door 15, and down the exterior
surface of the door 15. Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown,
flat cable 40 may travel through an aperture in the fabric article
drying appliance door 15 so as to connect inner housing 20 and
outer housing 50. As noted above, housings 20 and 50 may be
attached to surfaces of the fabric article drying appliance other
than its door 15. Housing 50 may be attached to any exterior
surface including a household wall.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, the flat cable 40 is again visible.
Along the surface of the inner housing 20 visible in FIG. 2, a door
mounting strap 21 is visible. An end of the mounting strap is also
visible in FIG. 1. Certainly other arrangements for attaching the
inner housing 20 to a dryer door 15 (or other interior surface)
could be arranged without departing from the principles of the
present invention.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows the same fabric article treating device 10 from
an opposite angle, in which the outer housing 50 is provided with a
means for activating the treating device 10 as shown at 56. The
treating device 10 may be mechanically or electrically activated.
In one non-limiting embodiment, a user of the device might depress
a button which would then mechanically activate the treating device
10 so as to result in the spraying of benefit composition into the
fabric article drying appliance. In another non-limiting
embodiment, the treating device may be activated by an ON-OFF
switch. The treating device 10 may be operated manually,
automatically, or a combination thereof. For instance, the treating
device 10 may be manually operated at the user's whim.
Alternatively, the treating device 10 can be set to automatically
treat at predetermined times and/or intervals.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3, the fabric article treating device
10 is illustrated such that the reservoir 26 can be seen as an
interior volume of the inner housing 20. In the outer housing 50, a
set of batteries 52 may be included. A printed circuit board with
electronic components may also be included as shown at 54. The
electronic components of one embodiment will be discussed below in
greater detail. It will be understood that any electrical power
source could be used in the present invention, including standard
household line voltage, or even solar power. Batteries may be
utilized if it is desired to make the apparatus 10 easily portable,
however, any appropriate power adapter can be provided to convert
an AC power source to the appropriate DC voltage(s) used in the
electronic components on the PC board 54, or to convert a DC power
source (including a battery or solar panel) to the appropriate DC
voltage(s) used in the electronic components on the PC board
54.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, some of the other hardware devices
which may be included are illustrated with respect to the inner
housing 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the discharge nozzle 24
acts as an electrostatic nozzle, and thereby is coupled with a high
voltage power supply 28, by use of an electrical conductor not
shown in this view. A quick disconnect switch 34 may be included,
so that the high voltage power supply 28 can be quickly shut down
if necessary. A pump 30 is visible in FIG. 4. The pump 30 may be
mechanical, electrical, or a combination thereof. FIG. 4 shows pump
30 and corresponding electric motor 32. Some type of dispensing
apparatus is used regardless as to whether the discharge nozzle 24
is producing a pressurized spray only, or an electrostatic spray
that utilizes a high voltage power supply 28.
[0042] Commonly assigned patent application, U.S. Ser. No.
10/418,595, filed Apr. 17, 2003 and entitled "Fabric Article
Treating Method and Apparatus," describes a method for treating a
fabric article that uses an electrically charged composition that
is dispensed through a discharge nozzle.
[0043] FIG. 5 provides a block diagram of some electrical and
mechanical components that may be included in fabric article
treating device 10, as constructed according to one embodiment of
the present invention. A high voltage power supply 28 may
optionally be provided in inner housing 20, which may be used to
electrically charge a composition that is dispensed through
discharge nozzle 24, thus providing for an electrostatic nozzle
system if desired. It should be noted that other methods of
discharging the benefit composition are also suitable, a
non-limiting example of which includes pressure swirl atomizing
nozzles. The inner housing 20 utilizes a general body or enclosure
to contain the devices needed within the drying appliance. It will
be understood that such components will generally be subjected to
relatively high temperatures and humidity during the treatment
cycle of the drying appliance. Consequently, the more sensitive
components of treating device 10 may be mounted in a different
location, such as in the outer housing 50.
[0044] Furthermore, it may be desirable to locate some of these
components in the outer housing 50 for example if they need to
communicate with a user of the device. A non-limiting example of
such an instance would be mounting LED lights in the outer housing
50 so that they can be viewed by the user while the fabric article
drying appliance is in operation. Other non-verbal signals may be
used, non-limiting examples of which include sound signals, light
signals, vibrations, and the like.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, a flat cable 40 may be used to connect
inner housing 20 with outer housing 50. The flat cable 40 may also
be used to bring electrical power into the inner housing 50.
Additionally, the flat cable 40 may also be used to bring certain
command signals into the inner housing 20. Further, flat cable 40
may be used to receive electrical signals from optional sensors
mounted in the inner housing 20 and communicate those sensor
signals back to the outer housing 50.
[0046] When the optional high voltage power supply 28 is used, a
power supply control signal may be used. As shown in FIG. 5, the
power supply control signal follows a wire 70 through the quick
disconnect switch 34 to the high voltage power supply 28. This
signal can comprise a constant DC voltage, a constant AC voltage, a
variable DC voltage, a variable AC voltage, or some type of pulse
voltage, depending on the type of control methodology selected by
the designer of the fabric article treating device 10.
[0047] In one embodiment, the signal at 70 may be a variable DC
voltage. As the variable DC voltage increases, the output of the
high voltage power supply 28 will also increase in voltage
magnitude, along a wire 39 that is attached to an electrode 38 that
carries the high voltage to the nozzle 24, or into the reservoir
26. The voltage impressed onto the electrode 38 will then be
transferred into the benefit composition. Alternatively, a constant
output voltage DC high voltage power supply could be used instead
of the variable output voltage power supply 28.
[0048] Once the benefit composition is charged within the reservoir
26 (alternatively it can also be charged at the nozzle 24) it will
travel through a tube or channel 42 to the inlet of the pump 30,
after which the composition will be pressurized and travel through
the outlet of the pump along another tube (or channel) 44 to the
discharge nozzle 24. For use in the present invention, the actual
details of the type of tubing used, the type of pump 30, and (if
used) the type of electric motor 32 that drives the pump, the type
of nozzle 24 that discharges the composition, can be readily
configured for almost any type of pressure and flow requirements.
If an electric motor 32 is used, the electrical voltage and current
requirements of the electric motor 32 to provide the desired
pressure and flow on the outlet of the pump 30 can also be readily
configured for use in the present invention. Virtually any type of
pump and electric motor combination or stand-alone pump (i.e.;
without an associated electric motor) can be utilized in some form
or another to create a useful device that falls within the
teachings of the present invention.
[0049] It should be noted that some types of pumps do not require
separate input and output lines or tubes to be connected thereto,
such as peristaltic pumps, in which the pump acts upon a continuous
tube that extends through an inlet opening and continues through a
discharge opening of the pump. This arrangement may be used with
electrostatically charged fluids or particles that are being pumped
toward the discharge nozzle 24, because the tubing can electrically
insulate the pump from the charged benefit composition, or in other
situations where it may be desired to protect the pump from the
composition. It should also be noted that a mechanical (i.e.;
non-motorized pump) could be used, if desired, such as a
spring-actuated pumping mechanism. A non-limiting example of a
suitable peristaltic pump is the 10/30 peristaltic pump, which may
be readily obtained from Thomas Industries of Louisville, Ky.
[0050] When used, the types of control signals that may be utilized
to control the electric motor 32 can vary according to the design
requirements of the treating device 10. Such signals will travel
along an electrical conductor 72 to control motor 32, via the flat
cable 40. If the motor 32 is a DC variable-speed motor, then a
variable "steady" DC voltage can be applied, in which the greater
the voltage magnitude, the greater the rotational speed of the
motor. In one embodiment, the electrical signal traveling along
conductor 72 can be a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal, that is
controlled by a microprocessor or a microcontroller. Of course,
such a pulse-width modulated signal can also be controlled by
discrete logic, including analog electronic components.
[0051] The fabric article treating device 10 can include optional
sensors. Non-limiting examples of optional sensors include a door
(or lid) sensor 22, a motion sensor 36, a humidity sensor 46,
and/or a temperature sensor 48. One non-limiting example of a
door/lid sensor 22 could be an optoelectronic device, such as an
optocoupler or an optical input sensor, e.g., a phototransistor or
photodiode. When the door/lid of the drying appliance is opened,
then the door sensor 22 will change state, and will output a
different voltage or current level along an electrical conductor 82
that leads from door sensor 22 back to the controller in the outer
housing 50. This can be used as a safety device to immediately
interrupt the discharge spray emanating from the nozzle 24. The
optional door sensor 22 could be utilized even when a control
system such as that shown in FIG. 5 is integrated into the overall
"conventional" control system of a drying appliance. A drying
appliance would normally have its own door sensor that for example
shuts off the rotating drum of a dryer when the door becomes
opened. In this instance, optional door sensor 22 can act as a
back-up (or second) door sensor to the dryer's internal "original"
sensor that shuts off the drum. One example which could be used as
a door/lid sensor is an NPN phototransistor, part number PNA1801L,
manufactured by Panasonic, of Osaka, Japan.
[0052] An alternative configuration for providing an optional
"door" sensor is to use a pressure-sensitive conductor within the
flat cable 40. The electrical characteristics of this
pressure-sensitive conductor will vary between a first condition in
which the door is open, and a second condition in which the door is
closed. This type of circuit can act, in essence, like a strain
gauge that varies with a change in contact pressure. A low voltage
biasing current may be run through the pressure-sensitive conductor
to provide an output signal that is detected by the control circuit
of treating device 10. An optional door sensor such as a
pressure-sensitive door sensor in cable 40 could eliminate the need
for an optional optical-sensitive sensor, such as that described in
the preceding paragraph, or it may be used to complete the
operation of the optional aforementioned optical-sensitive
sensor.
[0053] Another type of optional sensor that can be utilized by the
treating device 10 of the present invention is a motion sensor 36.
For fabric article drying appliances which utilize a moving
interior, such as a dryer, the motion sensor 36 can detect if the
fabric article drying appliance is in use. For example, referring
to FIG. 2, if a person was to activate the treating device 10 by
the activation means shown at 56, (for example by actuating an
ON-OFF switch), but the fabric article drying appliance itself was
not in use, then it may be desirable for the nozzle 24 to be
prevented from discharging any of the benefit composition. The
optional motion sensor 36 could output an electrical signal along a
conductor 80 that feeds into the controller of the outer housing
50.
[0054] One example of a motion sensor is a vibration and movement
sensing switch manufactured by ASSEMtech Europe Ltd., of Clifton,
N.J., available as Model No. CW1600-3. Another type of optional
motion sensor that may be used in the present invention uses a
light source to direct (infrared) light at a surface, and the
relative motion of that surface can be detected by the intensity
and/or frequency of the returning light. Such sensors can measure
the actual speed of rotation, if that information is desired.
[0055] Another optional sensor that could be used with the fabric
article treating device 10 of the present invention is a humidity
sensor 46. The optional humidity sensor 46, could be used to
control the amount of composition being discharged by the nozzle
24, and also could be utilized to determine the proper
environmental conditions during an operational cycle that the
dispensing events should take place. Additionally, this humidity
sensor may be used to maintain a specified humidity by controlling
the dispensing of the benefit composition such that optimal
de-wrinkling and/or other benefits are achieved. Many different
types of humidity sensors could be used in conjunction with the
present invention, including variable conductivity sensors. One
such sensor is sensor manufactured by Honeywell, of Freeport, Ill.,
under the Model No. HIH-3610-001, although any of the HIH-3610
Series may be used.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 5, the optional humidity sensor 46
provides an output signal along an electrical conductor 84 that
leads back to the controller of the outer housing 50. If the
humidity sensor 46 is purely a variable conductance (or variable
resistance) device, then some type of interface circuit would be
necessary to provide some biasing current or biasing voltage to
generate an output signal (as a current or voltage) that can be
input on conductor 84 to the controller (e.g., the electronics on
PC board 54--see FIG. 3).
[0057] A further optional sensor that could be useful in the
treating device 10 of the present invention is a temperature sensor
48, such as one that outputs an analog signal along the electrical
conductor 86 that leads back to the controller in the outer housing
50. (It should be noted that some temperature sensors have a serial
bus to carry a digital output signal, rather than outputting an
analog voltage.) The optional temperature sensor 48 may not be
necessary for many of the control features of the treating device
10, however, the interior temperature of the drying appliance could
be used to determine the proper environmental conditions for
certain dispensing events to occur, particularly if a "final"
dispensing event of the benefit composition in reservoir 26 is to
take place during a "cool down" cycle of the drying appliance. In
addition, the temperature sensor 48 can also be used as an
indicator that the drying appliance is operating properly. For
example if the drying appliance has not warmed up to a
predetermined minimum temperature, then its heating element (or
burner) may not be working correctly.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, the components of the exterior housing
50 may optionally include heat and/or humidity sensitive
components, non-limiting examples of which include electronics 54
and power source 52. For example, if power source 52 comprises four
D-cell batteries connected in series, a +6 volt DC voltage will be
provided to a set of DC power supplies generally designated by the
reference numeral 58. The schematic drawings provided in FIGS.
6A-6C and 7 show these power supplies 58 in greater detail. One of
the DC power supply voltages could for example provide energy for
an optional high voltage power supply 28, via the electrical
conductor 70 that runs through the flat cable 40. Another output
voltage may be provided to a microcontroller 60, which in the
non-limiting exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6A-6C, requires
a +3.3 volt DC power supply. In the non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6C, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 62
is used, and the device provided by Analog Devices of Norwood,
Mass. (Part No. AD 5301), requires a +5 volt DC power supply. All
of these power supplies are provided by the "set" of DC power
supplies 58.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, a component which may
optionally be used for controlling the treating device 10 is a
microcontroller 60. A suitable microcontroller 60 is manufactured
by Microchip of Chandler, Ariz., under the Part No.
PIC16LF876-04/P. However, other microcontrollers made by different
manufacturers could also easily be used. Microcontroller 60
includes on-board Random Access Memory (RAM), on-board FLASH
Memory, which comprises electrically programmable non-volatile
memory elements, as well as on-board input and output lines for
analog and digital signals. The microcontroller 60 may also be used
with a crystal clock oscillator, although an RC circuit could
instead be used as a clock circuit, if desired. The clock circuit
provides the timing clock pulses necessary to operate the
microcontroller 60. The PIC16LF876 microcontroller also has a
serial port that can be interfaced to an optional programmer
interface using an RS-232 communications link.
[0060] It will be understood that the microcontroller 60 could be
virtually any type of microprocessor or microcontroller circuit
commercially available, either with or without on-board RAM, ROM,
or digital and analog I/O. Moreover, a sequential processor is not
necessarily required to control the treating device 10, but instead
a parallel processor architecture could be used, or a logic state
machine architecture could be used. Furthermore, the
microcontroller 60 could be integrated into an Application Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that could contain many other logic
elements that can be used for various functions, such functions
being optional depending upon the model number of the treating
device 10 that will be sold to a consumer. To change model number
features, the manufacturer need only program the ASIC (or the
on-board ROM of a microcontroller) according to the special
parameters of that particular model, while using the same hardware
for each of the units.
[0061] It will also be understood that discrete digital logic could
be used instead of any type of microprocessor or microcontroller
unit, or even analog control circuitry could be used along with
voltage comparators and analog timers, to control the timing events
and to make decisions based on the input levels of the various
sensors that are provided with the treating apparatus 10.
[0062] FIGS. 6A-6C also includes an optional reset switch
designated SW1. Such a reset switch may not be desired for a
consumer apparatus. The ON-OFF switch 56 may be interfaced to one
of the I/O inputs to the microcontroller 60. Optionally, a number
of other inputs may be provided to the microcontroller, including a
door sensor 22, which in FIGS. 6A-6C is depicted as an optical
sensor that provides a signal along the conductor 82. Motion sensor
36 which may be optionally included, outputs a signal along the
conductive pathway 80 to the microcontroller 60. Other inputs not
depicted on FIGS. 6A-6C could include optionally analog inputs for
the temperature and humidity sensors, respectively.
[0063] Microcontroller 60 may also control certain outputs,
including for example a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal along
conductor 72 that drives a transistor Q3, which converts the signal
to a higher voltage and greater current that drives the motor 32.
Other digital outputs from the microcontroller 60 run through a
voltage shifting circuit of transistors Q4 and Q5, which shifts the
signals from 3.3 volt logic levels to +5 volt logic levels to
control the DAC 62. Depending upon the states of these signals, the
output of DAC 62 may be an analog voltage along the conductive
pathway 70 that controls the high voltage DC power supply's output
voltage magnitude, as discussed above. As also discussed above,
this DAC 62 may not be required for full production units,
particularly if it is determined that a constant DC output voltage
will be preferred as supplied by the high voltage DC power supply
28 (see FIG. 7). This can be determined by the system designer.
[0064] The microcontroller 60 may also optionally output two
control signals to a visual indicator with two LEDs of two
different colors. In this non-limiting example embodiment, the LEDs
used are green and red. The output signal along a conductive
pathway 74 drives a solid state transistor Q1, which will turn on a
green LED, as desired. Another output signal along a conductive
pathway 76 drives a solid state transistor Q2 that provides current
to drive a red LED. Both the red and green LEDs may be part of a
single bi-color device, generally designated by the reference
numeral 64. When desired, the green light may be displayed to the
user, or the red light may be displayed. Also, both LEDs can be
energized simultaneously, which will produce a yellow color
discernible by a human user.
[0065] As a non-limiting example of how the optional bi-color LED
64 could be used, a steady green color could represent an "ON"
signal for the fabric article treating apparatus 10. If the motion
sensor 36 is discerning movement in the dryer that sets up a
sufficient vibration to actuate the motion sensor 36 itself, then
the green light could be flashing, for example. This could be a
normal state for using the treating device 10. During "spraying
events" both the red and green LEDs could be energized, thereby
showing a yellow color. This may inform the user that the spray
droplets are actually being dispersed by the nozzle 24. If the door
is opened, then the bi-color LED 64 could show a red color. If the
battery voltage falls below a predetermined threshold, then the
bi-color LED 64 could emit a flashing red light discernible by the
user. These are just examples of possible indications for various
operating modes. The colors of steady or flashing lights in various
colors is completely up to the system designer and has much
flexibility. There are also many other methods of presenting
operational/signaling information to the user, including but not
limited to an LCD display, or multiple individual lamps or LED's,
vibrational techniques, and/or auditory signaling techniques of
which such alternative methodologies fall within the scope of the
present invention.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, power supply circuits 58 may be used in
the fabric article treating device 10 of the present invention. The
battery voltage may be used to drive a voltage regulator U6, which
outputs a +3.3 DC volt power supply rail. The regulator in this
embodiment may be an integrated circuit chip, such as Part No.
LP2985 which may be obtained from National Semiconductor, of Santa
Clara, Calif. Another voltage regulator chip U5, may be used to
provide a +5 volt rail from a +12 volt power supply voltage, which
may be another LP2985 regulator device (also available from
National Semiconductor). A boost switching regulator, which uses a
+12 volt DC input power supply voltage and a switching regulator
chip U7, which is an integrated circuit chip, Part No. LM2586
device may also be used as shown in FIG. 7. Such voltage regulator
chips are available from National Semiconductor as well as other
semiconductor manufacturers. The boost regulator is generally
designated by the reference numeral 28, which is referred to in the
earlier figures as the high voltage power supply. The output
voltage is located at the node indicated by the reference numeral
39, and this represents an electrical conductor that carries the
high voltage to the electrode 38 that charges the benefit
composition in the reservoir 26, or at the nozzle 24. FIG. 7 also
shows a solid state relay U9 that may be used to directly provide
current for the high voltage power supply rail (i.e., conductor 39)
from the battery voltage.
[0067] FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows the general location of some
of components which may be included in one of the embodiments of
the fabric article treating apparatus 10 of the present invention.
As discussed above, sensitive components such as heat sensitive
components (non-limiting examples of which may include electronics
54 and batteries 52), humidity sensitive components, and/or
components that indicate to the user the operating status of the
device 10 may be located within the outer housing 50. The outer
housing 50 is connected to the inner housing 20. The outer housing
50 may be electrically connected to the inner housing 20. A flat
cable 40 is one non-limiting means of connecting inner housing 20
with outer housing 50. The flat cable 40 may be used to carry power
supply between the outer housing 50 and the inner housing 20. The
flat cable 40 may also be used to carry input/output signals
between the outer housing 50 and the inner housing 20.
[0068] The inner housing 20 may contain one or more of the
following: reservoir 26, pump 30, discharge nozzle 24 and optional
components including electric motor 32, high voltage power supply
28, and various sensors that may or may not be included for a
particular version of the treating apparatus 10. When high voltage
power supply 28 is included, electrical conductor 39 may also be
used to carry the high voltage to the nozzle 24. Alternatively, the
high voltage could be carried to reservoir 26. Yet further, the
high voltage could be carried to both nozzle 24 and reservoir 26.
The tubing 42 to the inlet of the pump is illustrated, as well as
the tubing 44 from the outlet of the pump that provides the benefit
composition to the nozzle 24. As indicated above, the high voltage
power supply 28 is optional within the teachings of the present
invention. If spray droplets/particles emitted from the nozzle 24
are not to be electrostatically charged, then there is no need for
a high voltage power supply within the inner housing 20.
[0069] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention
as illustrated by FIGS. 9-12, the inner housing 20 comprises a
nozzle 24 for discharging the benefit composition in the interior
of the fabric article drying appliance. In this embodiment, the
pump 30 and reservoir 26 located in outer housing 50 are in
communication with nozzle 24 located in inner housing 20 via
conduit 44. Benefit composition is carried from reservoir 26 to
pump 30 in the outer housing 50 through conduit 44 to nozzle 24 in
inner housing 20. FIG. 12 provides additional illustration of this
embodiment wherein the outer housing 50 of the treating device 10
is attached to the side wall of a fabric article drying appliance
110 and is in communication with the inner housing 20 by means of a
conduit 44. In this embodiment, the inner housing 20 comprises a
nozzle 24.
[0070] In a further embodiment as shown in FIG. 13, the outer
housing 50 is located on the exterior of fabric article drying
appliance door 15. The inner housing 20 is located between the
exterior surface 127 and interior surface 125 of fabric article
drying appliance door 15. Inner housing 20 is in communication with
outer housing 50. In this embodiment, inner housing 20 is in
electrical communication with outer housing 50. ON-OFF switch 56 is
located in outer housing 50. Reservoir 26, pump 30, discharge
nozzle 24, and power source 52 are located in inner housing 20.
Benefit composition is moved from reservoir 26 through pump 30 and
out through discharge nozzle 24 into the fabric article drying
appliance.
[0071] It will be understood that when electrical energy is
utilized, the source of electrical energy used by the present
invention may be provided in many different forms. For example, a
battery (or set of batteries) can be used, such as the set of
batteries 52, described above. However, as shown in the
non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 10, standard line voltage could
instead be used, such as 120 VAC, single phase power, at 60 Hz; or
in Europe, the line voltage would likely be at 220 VAC at 50 Hz.
For some installations, a more exotic source of electrical energy
could be provided, such as a solar panel comprising photovoltaic
cells or photoconductive cells.
[0072] Also when using a pump 30 which is motorized, a variable or
fixed speed motor 32 may optionally be used for driving the pump
30. The motor 32 may optionally be energized by use of a
pulse-width modulation control scheme. If the motor 32 is energized
by use of a pulse-width modulation control scheme (hereinafter
"PWM"), the PWM duty cycle can be increased as the battery voltage
begins to decrease. This will have the effect of controlling the
effective output provided by the pump 30, and will attempt to keep
the output volume of the pump 30 substantially constant, even when
the battery voltage begins to drop as the battery 52 discharges. At
the same time, if a high voltage power supply 28 is used that has a
variable output voltage that can be controlled, then that output
voltage could also be "increased" as the battery voltage begins to
fall, so that the effective output voltage will remain
substantially constant, if desired by the system designer. As an
alternative design, the input voltage driving the high voltage
power supply 28 could be increased as the battery voltage starts to
decrease, thereby keeping the voltage to the motor 32 (or to a
piezo pump 30--see below) substantially constant.
[0073] As noted above, one type of pump 30 that can be used in the
present invention is a peristaltic pump, including for use in an
electrostatic spraying application. Another type of pump 30 usable
in the present invention is an ultrasonic piezo pump, which has no
major moving parts. While certain membranes or laminations (or
other types of layers) may vibrate in a reciprocating-type fashion,
the piezo pumps do not have major moving parts that can wear out,
such as rotating shafts and bearings used with a rotary member to
displace a liquid or gaseous fluid. One suitable piezo pump usable
in the present invention is manufactured by PAR Technologies, LLC,
located in Hampton, Va., and in particular PAR Technologies'
"LPD-series" laminated piezo fluid pumps. Pumps manufactured by PAR
Technologies can be obtained which draw a relatively low current.
Such piezo pumps would not require a separate motor, such as the
motor 32 depicted in FIG. 5.
[0074] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
[0075] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *